A STINGY price cut by one of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers was being slammed by critics yesterday.

EDF Energy were the first of the so-called “Big Six” to announce lower tariffs – piling pressure on British Gas, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power and SSE to follow suit.

But their announcement that gas bills would be cut by five per cent came just weeks after a 15.4 per cent hike in November, when they also increased electricity prices by 4.5per cent.

EDF’s cut, which will come into force from February 7, will save their 1.4million customers about £36 a year each.

But campaigners say it will do little to soften the blow of the jump of around £123 in November.

Friends of the Earth’s Paul Steedman, said: “EDF’s claim to have cut prices is completely disingenuous.

“Tinkering in the margins of massive price hikes won’t fix our broken system – the Big Six are ripping us off and making billions in profits.”

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “It’s good news for consumers, but we’re left with the cold reality that prices are still substantially higher than they were just over a year ago.”

Justin Forsyth, chief executive of Save the Children, added: “For children living in poverty, a five per cent decrease doesn’t go far enough.”

EDF said they had acted because costs had fallen by more than nine per cent since last November.

Chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “We know customers want action rather than words. That is why we are the first major supplier to announce a cut and were the last to increase prices.”

Overall, suppliers have put prices up by 21per cent – or £224 – in the last 18 months, adding £2.24billion to household energy bills.

But research by price comparison website TheEnergyShop.com found wholesale gas prices had fallen by 17per cent since last September.

They claim this means EDF, and other suppliers, can afford to cut bills by up to £120 a year.

Consumer Focus said wholesale gas and electricity prices were at a 12-month low.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said: “Some big energy suppliers were quick to pass on rising costs last year, and it’s only right that they should now pass on cost reductions to hard-pressed householders as quickly as possible.”